NST/BST #3

This week I called ahead to make sure there was not some crazy influx of babies being born like last week. I ended up going in straight from work.

My nurse this time was named Kim. She was very talkative, but quite kind. Within 30 minutes we had enough 'kicks' to clear me to go... Except that I still had to do the breast stimulation part of the test. I should have kept my mouth shut- she was ready to send me home.

This time I was given some privacy and that actually fairly nice- but the machine was not picking up my contractions... So I twisted and rubbed and tweaked until I was pretty sure I had 2 or 3 really good ones. Then I called her in. They did not show up. The room was really warm so she got me some ice which actually ended up helping with my nipple twisting... Nearly a full hour after twisting began, I had probably had 5 or 6 GOOD contractions, but only 3 showed up- luckily, it was enough to get me out of there for the night. My wrists and nips were sore.

Though this particular part of my treatment remains unexciting, it is serving a couple of neat purposes I did not expect. First, I am learning what an early contraction feels like- for me it is very much like an menstrual cramp and tends to last about 60-90 seconds. Second, I am getting to know the nurses and they are getting to know (and love) me- of course. In fact, the nurse from last time was very apologetic about last week and having to leave me in the bed for so long. It was quite sweet. I told her it was just fine- she could not help that 5 babies were born in rapid succession!

Today I am tired, but I think that is just because the baby keeps growing and work is stressful. My nipples feel a little bruised, but this is probably great practice for nursing.

I will be glad when I am finally on maternity leave. I wish we could afford for me to take off a little time beforehand- but eight weeks of leave is going to stretch our finances as it is... Speaking of finances, I need to re-evaluate in light of new findings.